The UFC began in 1993 with fighters of all sizes competing against each other. Four years later, UFC 12 introduced weight classes: heavyweight, for fighters 200 pounds and above, and lightweight, for those 199 pounds and under. That night in Dothan, Alabama, Mark Coleman needed less than three minutes to defeat Dan Severn by a neck crank to becomes the promotion's first heavyweight champion -- its first champion, period.
A UFC Hall of Famer, Coleman fought the absolute best of his era. 10 (tie): Tito Ortiz. He won the UFC light heavyweight championship at the age of 25. Feuds with rival Chuck Liddell and president Dana White became a focus of his story, but Ortiz was also an outstanding fighter. The highly unofficial UFC.com best-of season comes to an end with the ten best fighters of 2020 10 – Israel Adesanya UFC 253: Israel Adesanya Post-Fight Interview.
Today, there 12 weight divisions in the UFC -- eight for men, four for women. Below are the current UFC champions in each weight division.
Click here for the current champions in all of the major fight promotions: Bellator MMA, ONE Championship, PFL, Rizin and Invicta FC, in addition to the UFC.
All-time UFC champions by division:
Heavyweight | Light heavyweight
Middleweight | Welterweight
Lightweight | Men's featherweight
Men's bantamweight | Men's flyweight
Women's featherweight
Women's bantamweight
Women's flyweight
Strawweight
Heavyweight (Up to 265 pounds)
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Stipe Miocic
• Won title: August 17, 2019
• Outcome: TKO4 over Daniel Cormier (UFC 241)
• Defenses: 1
Light heavyweight (205)
Stipe Miocic
• Won title: August 17, 2019
• Outcome: TKO4 over Daniel Cormier (UFC 241)
• Defenses: 1
Light heavyweight (205)
Best Ufc Fighters All-time
Jan Blachowicz
• Won title: Sept. 26, 2020
• Outcome: TKO2 over Dominick Reyes (UFC 253)
• Defenses: 1
Middleweight (185)
Israel Adesanya
• Won title: Oct. 6, 2019
• Outcome: TKO2 over Robert Whittaker (UFC 243)
• Defenses: 2
Welterweight (170)
Kamaru Usman
• Won title: March 2, 2019
• Outcome: UD over Tyron Woodley (UFC 235)
• Defenses: 3
Lightweight (155)
Khabib Nurmagomedov
• Won title: April 7, 2018
• Outcome: UD over Al Iaquinta (UFC 223)
• Defenses: 3
Men's featherweight (145)
Best Heavyweight Ufc Fighters All Time
Alexander Volkanovski
• Won title: Dec. 14, 2019
• Outcome: UD over Max Holloway (UFC 245)
• Defenses: 1
Men's bantamweight (135)
Aljamain Sterling
• Won title: March 6, 2021
• Outcome: DQ4 over Petr Yan (UFC 259)
• Defenses: 0
Men's flyweight (125)
Deiveson Figueiredo
• Won title: July 18, 2020
• Outcome: SUB1 over Joseph Benavidez (UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2)
• Defenses: 2
Top Mma Fighters
Women's featherweight (145)
Best Fighters Of All Time
Amanda Nunes
• Won title: Dec. 29, 2018
• Outcome: TKO1 over Cris Cyborg (UFC 232)
• Defenses: 2
Women's bantamweight (135)
Amanda Nunes
• Won title: July 9, 2016
• Outcome: SUB1 over Miesha Tate (UFC 200)
• Defenses: 5
Women's flyweight (125)
Valentina Shevchenko
• Won title: Dec. 8, 2018
• Outcome: UD over Joanna Jedrzejczyk (UFC 231)
• Defenses: 4
Strawweight (115)
Zhang Weili
• Won title: Aug. 31, 2019
• Outcome: TKO1 over Jessica Andrade (UFC Shenzhen)
• Defenses: 1
Check out these photos from the fights at UFC 258 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. (Fight and venue photos courtesy of the UFC via Getty Images)
UFC 258: Green v RoweLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Phil Rowe punches Gabe Green in their welterweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Phil Rowe punches Gabe Green in their welterweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Green v RoweLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Gabe Green punches Phil Rowe in their welterweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Gabe Green punches Phil Rowe in their welterweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreGabe Green (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) def. Phil Rowe (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) via unanimous decisionGabe GreenUFC 258: Ewell v GutierrezLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Andre Ewell punches Chris Gutierrez in their 140-pound catchweight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Andre Ewell punches Chris Gutierrez in their 140-pound catchweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Ewell v GutierrezLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Chris Gutierrez kicks Andre Ewell in their 140-pound catchweight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Chris Gutierrez kicks Andre Ewell in their 140-pound catchweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreChris Gutierrez (16-3-2 MMA, 4-1-1 UFC) def. Andre Ewell (17-7 MMA, 4-3 UFC) via unanimous decisionChris GutierrezUFC 258: Viana v MartinLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Polyana Viana of Brazil kicks Mallory Martin in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Polyana Viana of Brazil kicks Mallory Martin in their strawweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Viana v MartinLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Mallory Martin punches Polyana Viana of Brazil in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Mallory Martin punches Polyana Viana of Brazil in their strawweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)morePolyana Viana (12-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) def. Mallory Martin (7-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) via submissionPolyana VianaUFC 258: Muhammad v LimaLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Dhiego Lima of Brazil punches Belal Muhammad in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Dhiego Lima of Brazil punches Belal Muhammad in their welterweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Muhammad v LimaLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Belal Muhammad punches Dhiego Lima of Brazil in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Belal Muhammad punches Dhiego Lima of Brazil in their welterweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreBelal Muhammad (18-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) def. Dhiego Lima (15-8 MMA, 4-6 UFC) via unanimous decisionBelal MuhammadUFC 258: Vieira v HernandezLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Rodolfo Vieira of Brazil punches Anthony Hernandez in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Rodolfo Vieira of Brazil punches Anthony Hernandez in their middleweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Vieira v HernandezLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Anthony Hernandez punches Rodolfo Vieira of Brazil in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Anthony Hernandez punches Rodolfo Vieira of Brazil in their middleweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreAnthony Hernandez (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) def. Rodolfo Vieira (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) via submissionAnthony HernandezUFC 258: Pitolo v MarquezLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Maki Pitolo punches Julian Marquez in their middleweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Maki Pitolo punches Julian Marquez in their middleweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Pitolo v MarquezLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Julian Marquez punches Maki Pitolo in their middleweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Julian Marquez punches Maki Pitolo in their middleweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreJulian Marquez (8-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) def. Maki Pitolo (13-8 MMA, 1-4 UFC) via submissionJulian MarquezUFC 258: Simon v KelleherLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Brian Kelleher punches Ricky Simon in their featherweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Brian Kelleher punches Ricky Simon in their featherweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Simon v KelleherLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Ricky Simon punches Brian Kelleher in their featherweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Ricky Simon punches Brian Kelleher in their featherweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreRicky Simon (18-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) def. Brian Kelleher (23-11 MMA, 6-5 UFC) via unanimous decisionRicky SimonUFC 258: Gastelum v HeinischLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Ian Heinisch kicks Kelvin Gastelum in their middleweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Ian Heinisch kicks Kelvin Gastelum in their middleweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Gastelum v HeinischLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Kelvin Gastelum punches Ian Heinisch in their middleweight fight…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Kelvin Gastelum punches Ian Heinisch in their middleweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreKelvin Gastelum (17-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC) def. Ian Heinisch (14-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) via unanimous decisionKelvin GastelumUFC 258: Barber v GrassoLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Maycee Barber punches Alexa Grasso of Mexico in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Maycee Barber punches Alexa Grasso of Mexico in their flyweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Barber v GrassoLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Alexa Grasso of Mexico punches Maycee Barber in their…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Alexa Grasso of Mexico punches Maycee Barber in their flyweight fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreAlexa Grasso (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) def. Maycee Barber (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) via unanimous decisionAlexa GrassoUFC 258: Usman v BurnsLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Gilbert Burns of Brazil punches Kamaru Usman of Nigeria…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Gilbert Burns of Brazil punches Kamaru Usman of Nigeria in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Usman v BurnsLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Kamaru Usman of Nigeria punches Gilbert Burns of Brazil…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: (R-L) Kamaru Usman of Nigeria punches Gilbert Burns of Brazil in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreUFC 258: Usman v BurnsLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria reacts after his victory over Gilbert…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 13: Kamaru Usman of Nigeria reacts after his victory over Gilbert Burns of Brazil in their UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 258 event at UFC APEX on February 13, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)moreKamaru Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) def. Gilbert Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) via TKOKamaru UsmanKamaru UsmanKamaru UsmanDana WhiteDana White